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I realize few here are fans of ugfs. And I understand it's because of concern of nitrates building up beneath them?
I actually did a lot of research (with the help of my LFS person) and he uses nothing but UGFs and has gone away from HOB's and canisters.
I am hoping I have the best of both worlds - with the canister and the ugf's as I don't want to deal with HOB's on this tank. Also the ugfs were relatively inexpensive and the canister is not so I don't want to get another one right now. I'll see how it goes.
So ... I hope I didn't make a mistake but I'm going to stay the course for now.

Hadn't thought about leaving the carbon out of the canister. I guess since the canister is already up and going, I'll just leave as is.

As for seeding - I'm so afraid to disrupt my 30 gallon by removing media from either filter. I have 2 HOBs. an aquean 30 that I have stuffed with a well established carbon filter floss cartridge + a new carbon filter floss cartridge (just cleaned the filter yesterday) and as much aqua clear filter insert foam as I can tuck inside of it.

The 2nd hob is an AquaClear 50. It's been running for around 3 months, I think. I have not yet cleaned it (just swished the media in tank water a couple of times) I have foam, bioballs and carbon (which needs to be pitched, I assume) in that filter. I was planning on cleaning it in two weeks, since I just cleaned my Aquean yesterday.

But now you have me thinking. What could I take from my aquaclear or aquean to seed the 90 and not jeopardize my 30? And since I've already dosed with ammonia up to 4+, is it too late to seed?

Reverse flow pumps will push the gunk out from the gravel for the other filter to pick it up. Pumps that pull the gunk downward just lays there. I would leave it as it is if you wish but when it comes time you want to plant it, then I would pull it out. Some plants have very large root structures that plug those plates up and don't allow water to circulate under them.

It's more than just due to nitrates many of us don't like them. It's a breeding ground for things we may not want in our tank......like parasites feeding off that gunk. Some people like them but not really my cup of tea unless used for cichlid tanks loaded with rocks and hard to get to for cleaning. And again, with reserve flow pumps.

Reverse flow pumps will push the gunk out from the gravel for the other filter to pick it up. Pumps that pull the gunk downward just lays there. I would leave it as it is if you wish but when it comes time you want to plant it, then I would pull it out. Some plants have very large root structures that plug those plates up and don't allow water to circulate under them.

It's more than just due to nitrates many of us don't like them. It's a breeding ground for things we may not want in our tank......like parasites feeding off that gunk. Some people like them but not really my cup of tea unless used for cichlid tanks loaded with rocks and hard to get to for cleaning. And again, with reserve flow pumps.

Ah - I see. I guess time will tell. thanks for the info.

As for your suggestion of seeding, given my situation with my 30 gal (see my note in previous post) do you see any options for me to use any of my media to seed (and not jeopardize my established tank) and if so, what might that be? If I could speed this up, you bet, I'd love to, but I'm afraid to muck anything up :o)
thanks

first sign of nitrites! - now what

0

Hi
Okay. Started fishless cycle 8-26. Filters running. temp at 82F. air bubbler on.
Fed ammonia to get the reading up to 4+ (dosed with 6 tsp to eventually get Ammonia up to 4)
Left the tank alone since. Added nothing since, no water changes, have not dosed with ammonia since the original dosing on 8-26. the tank has just been setting there working.

Started taking ammonia readings on 8-31. no change until today.

Today, 9-3, Ammonia reads between 2 and 4 on API chart. So it's dropped just a little
BUT ... Ta da! - I have a .25 Nitrite reading! Yea

So - now what? Sticky instructions say:

After a few days, began to test for ammonia levels. Nothing will happen for several days because the Nitrosomona bacteria needs to grow.
As the ammonia level decreases you will began to start testing daily for Ammonia and Nitrite levels. When you began to see nitrites on your tester, then only dose one/half of your starting dose. One time each day only.

This is where I'm confused. Since the ammonia has barely dropped and nitrites are barely registering, do I dose ammonia now or wait until the ammonia drops to 2 and the nitrites are a little higher?

When you see nitrites in your tank, that means that its time to start dosing half the previous amount of ammonia that you were dosing before. Wait until your ammonia is 0, or close enough, and dose.

Eventually, it'll work like clockwork and you'll need to be dosing ammonia daily.

Ah ... so even though the sticky currently reads:When you began to see nitrites on your tester, then only dose one/half of your starting dose. One time each day only. ...

I actually need to wait until ammonia hits 0 again before I dose at 1/2 of my starting dose.
Sorry to be so obtuse, but the sticky implies that as soon as I see nitrites I should start with my 1/2 doses of ammonia - that's what was confusing me ... and clearly, I'm easily confused.

Okay. Think I've got it now ... but to make certain, is this right?

After I start seeing nitrites AND ammonia has dropped to 0, then dose one/half of my starting dose of ammonia. Then, on every day that ammonia drops to 0, 1/2 dose again through the nitrite spike until nitrites also drop to 0. When both Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 and I also see nitrates, then the tank is cycled.

After I start seeing nitrites AND ammonia has dropped to 0, then dose one/half of my starting dose of ammonia. Then, on every day that ammonia drops to 0, 1/2 dose again through the nitrite spike until nitrites also drop to 0. When both Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 and I also see nitrates, then the tank is cycled.

Yes, it would be silly to dose ammonia while there is still ammonia in the tank now wouldnt it?

But you are assuming that I think logically ... a stretch on a good day.
And I'm 'one of those' who reads everything literally. So if it says - when you see nitrates, dose, I figure I'm supposed to dose - even if it doesn't make sense.

I can make life very difficult without hardly trying sometimes. It's a gift. Or not.
big sigh.